JDNJ1985 0 Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 Hey guys, I've begun the conversion and am replacing my handguards with the K-Var and Dinzag retainer. Lower handguard is installed, and I am trying to install the upper/gas tube. I had a bitch of a time moving the lever up, but now it won't go down. Which position does the sight have to be in to do this? I'm trying pliers and everything with no luck. Thanks -Joe Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lonz 1 Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 Sight flat on the block should work.. you've tried pliers and it wont move? Did you sort of pull up/out and push it down ? also, is your tube keyed in the block correctly? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JDNJ1985 0 Posted November 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 Sight flat on the block should work.. you've tried pliers and it wont move? Did you sort of pull up/out and push it down ? also, is your tube keyed in the block correctly? Thanks for the reply! Gonna check all this very soon. I actually am halfway through the conversion. Rivets are out, spot weld is out, and the trigger plate is off! -Joe Quote Link to post Share on other sites
terrace_mountain 0 Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 What kind of gas tube are you using? I've heard that lots of mil-surp commie tubes are too large. I purchased a Bulgarian ported tube from K-VAR and it works out great. Still gotta jiggle to find the sweet spot, but you'll have that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JDNJ1985 0 Posted November 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 Hey guys, I tried reseating the gas tube and it seems to be in properly. Just be sure, I removed the gas tube and tried moving the lever down by itself, no luck. I'm using the AK gas tube from Dinzag. I'm unsure which they are exactly. Man, such a small thing is driving me nuts. I'd really like to move this lever down! lol Needlenose, regular pliers, no luck. -Joe Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Big Boss 21 Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 Hey guys, I tried reseating the gas tube and it seems to be in properly. Just be sure, I removed the gas tube and tried moving the lever down by itself, no luck. I'm using the AK gas tube from Dinzag. I'm unsure which they are exactly. Man, such a small thing is driving me nuts. I'd really like to move this lever down! lol Needlenose, regular pliers, no luck. -Joe DO NOT FORCE IT. Wiggle the tube around as you push down on the lever with JUST YOUR THUMB. It will go down when the gas tube is in the proper postition for the lever to rock down and lock the tube in place. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JDNJ1985 0 Posted November 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 Hey guys, I tried reseating the gas tube and it seems to be in properly. Just be sure, I removed the gas tube and tried moving the lever down by itself, no luck. I'm using the AK gas tube from Dinzag. I'm unsure which they are exactly. Man, such a small thing is driving me nuts. I'd really like to move this lever down! lol Needlenose, regular pliers, no luck. -Joe DO NOT FORCE IT. Wiggle the tube around as you push down on the lever with JUST YOUR THUMB. It will go down when the gas tube is in the proper postition for the lever to rock down and lock the tube in place. Thanks...going to try this. Hopefully I didn't f*** up my gas tube lever. -Joe Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JDNJ1985 0 Posted November 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 Tried wiggling the tube... No luck. Even with the gas tube assembly completely out, it won't budge past a certain point, and I don't want to apply more unnecessary pressure than I already have. ???????? -Joe Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JDNJ1985 0 Posted November 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 Tried wiggling the tube... No luck. Even with the gas tube assembly completely out, it won't budge past a certain point, and I don't want to apply more unnecessary pressure than I already have. ???????? -Joe I think it's possible that the lever bent too far toward the receiver and is getting caught. I really can't think of any other reason why it wouldn't move. ?? -Joe Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Superhawk138 202 Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 Tried wiggling the tube... No luck. Even with the gas tube assembly completely out, it won't budge past a certain point, and I don't want to apply more unnecessary pressure than I already have. ???????? -Joe I think it's possible that the lever bent too far toward the receiver and is getting caught. I really can't think of any other reason why it wouldn't move. ?? -Joe Can you post a pic of the lever itself and of the cam where it locks on the gas tube. Soak a little penetrating oil in there and try to work it without the gas tube. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JDNJ1985 0 Posted November 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 Sure, let me know if these are ok. Also, if you need anything else photographed. Angle of the lever: As far down as the lever will go without forcing it: And I believe this is the cam you are talking about: Thanks guys. -Joe Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Superhawk138 202 Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 Looking at your 1st 4th 5th pic the area on the gas tube that the cam locks against looks rather small compared to the tubes I have. Also make sure the bottom part of the tube fits down into the slot above the barrel in the sight base. Make sure the ramped surface the cam engages on the tube is lower than the bottom of the cam if it is not you may need to file the bottome of the gas tube a little. Locking surface on my gas tube. Fully locked in Pushed all the way down ready for cam to catch. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JDNJ1985 0 Posted November 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2008 Thanks for the info, much appreciated. It's just strange that it still won't budge, even when the gas tube isn't installed. I'm going to compare the stock gas tube and try some penetrating oil. Thanks! -Joe Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Superhawk138 202 Posted November 12, 2008 Report Share Posted November 12, 2008 Thanks for the info, much appreciated. It's just strange that it still won't budge, even when the gas tube isn't installed. I'm going to compare the stock gas tube and try some penetrating oil. Thanks! -Joe Yeah that is strange that it won't lock back. It moved once before when you took off the original tube. Maybe the cam took some dirt or paint and lodged itself. Let the oil or break-free soak in overnight then try it out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JDNJ1985 0 Posted November 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 Annnnnd she's down. Turns out a combination of some WD40, grinding of the gas tube, and a light tap from a rubber mallet did the trick! All that is left is to paint the bottom, attach the trigger guard, install BHO, and the buttstock. -Joe Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JDNJ1985 0 Posted November 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Superhawk138 202 Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 Awesome, She looks good with that furniture on there. You will love that rifle even more after you do the conversion which looks like its moving right along. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JDNJ1985 0 Posted November 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 Awesome, She looks good with that furniture on there. You will love that rifle even more after you do the conversion which looks like its moving right along. Thanks so much! I can already feel how much better the trigger pull is. Yeah, I really underestimated how easy it would be. I was a bit nervous about drilling into it, but once I got started it went right along really smoothly. I'm going to have to bend my trigger guard back a bit; it's not quite reaching the rear hole. -Joe Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kymasabe 1 Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 Did that gas tube come with that upper handguard on it or did you have to buy that seperately? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JDNJ1985 0 Posted November 14, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2008 Did that gas tube come with that upper handguard on it or did you have to buy that seperately? I bought it all from Dinzag, but they are sold separately. You need to twist it on yourself. That was another pain in the butt...getting it even on both sides. -Joe Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nailer007 0 Posted November 14, 2008 Report Share Posted November 14, 2008 in the future file or grind the gas tube for the perfect fit the install directions should have mention that... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Clint_19 0 Posted September 25, 2020 Report Share Posted September 25, 2020 I had this problem a few mins ago new ak owner I just put pressure on the gas tube with my hand pushing down on it the latch just went down like butter (with the help of a mallet of course) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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